MANILA, Philippines — The camp of incoming president Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday said it has no policy of excluding some media networks in the coverage of the incoming chief executive.
Marcos spokesperson Vic Rodriguez made the assertion after the camp only granted three media networks access to a sit-down interview with the president-elect, who even during the campaign had admitted to his preference to “talk directly” to the people, rather than grant interviews or attend debates.
READ: Bongbong Marcos: I am the victim of fake news
He explained that the earlier sit-down interview of Marcos with SMNI News, Net25, and GMA was an earlier commitment from them that was only now being granted.
Rodriguez said the commitment was made during the campaign period for the 2022 elections.
“It’s not the policy of the incoming Marcos administration to exclude. Ang tanging kadahilanan lang kung bakit nagpaunlak si President-elect Bongbong Marcos ng panayam kaninang umaga sa Net25, SMNI, GMA 7, sapagkat ito ‘yung commitment na binigay ng aming media team noong kampanya dito sa tatlong network na agad nang nagpasabi na kung saka sakaling manalo si then candidate Bongbong Marcos, maaari ho ba kaming mapagbigyan ng one-on-one interview,” he said in a press briefing.
(The only reason why Marcos granted an interview earlier with Net25, SMNI, GMA 7 because this is the commitment that was given by our media team as early as the campaign period. The three networks have asked for a one-on-one interview with then-presidential candidate Marcos should he win the elections.)
President-elect Bongbong Marcos gestures during an interview with Press Secretary-designate Trixie Cruz-Angeles. Screengrab from Facebook / BBM
Rodriguez said that they held the sit-down interview simultaneously with the three networks “to be fair.”
“It doesn’t mean we intend or have intended to exclude anyone, no,” he said.
Rodriguez also thank the media for their coverage of Marcos, adding that Thursday’s press briefing will be his last as Marcos’ spokesman. He has been designated by Marcos to his Executive Secretary.
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